Machine for use in operating upon shoe uppers



Dec. 23, 1941. A, A LAWSON 2,266,774

MACHINE FOR USE IN OPERATING UPON sHoE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z4 l MEL@ ,sa T 2i /wf/Vm# MEM Dec. 23, 1941.

A. LAWSON MACHINE FOR USE IN OPERATING UPON .SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. l5, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. -2:27, 1941. i A A LAWSON 2,266,774

MACHINE FOR UsE IN OPERATING UPON SHOE UPPERs Filed Feb. 13, 1939 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 /wf/V 70%? M um /W Dec- 23, 1941. A. A. LAWSON 2,266,774

MACHINE FOR USE IN OPERATING UPON SHOE UPPERS Filed Feb. 13, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @www Patented Dec. 23, 1941 MACHINE FOR USE IN OPERATING UPON SHOE UPPERS Axel A. Lawson, Beverly, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Borough of Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jer ser Application February 13, 1939, Serial No. 256,055

6o claims.

This invention relates to machines'for use in operating upon shoe uppers and it is illustratedv herein with reference tok shaping the heel or'backparts of uppers preparatory to assembling them with insoles in constructingY the shoes.

It has always been diicult in assembling uppers with insoles, preparatory to the subsequent operations in constructing the shoes, to position and t the heel or back part of the upper, commonly referred to as the quarter portion, on-the rear or heel portion of the last in such a manner that the back part of the upper will hug the heel portion of the last closely and smoothly at all parts thereof and can be maintained in thisV close fitting relation during the subsequent operations referred to, that is to say, so that the back part of the upper will be held with its back seam orl a line corresponding thereto, located in a straight position heightwise of the last and with the top and side portions of said back` part, including the wings of the counter stiffener and the adjacent materials of the upper,'conforming closely to the curves at corresponding portions of the last.

This difficulty arises fromv the peculiar conflguraor moldingv operation preliminary to the assembly of the heel portion of thev upper on a last;

Other circumstancesl which militate against obtaining an accurate and close t of the back part of the upperto the heelportion of the last arev that the back part, at least in the ordinary shoe, is made up of several different layers of materials, namely, an outer layer of leather or fabric or substitutes for such materials, a lining of fabric or thin flexible leather, and a counter member or stiifener composed of ber or a similar relatively inflexible material. Each of these layers has characteristics or qualities peculiarto itself and different from those of the other layers such, for example, as tensile streng-th, resiliency, elasticity and so forth and, accordingly, when these layers are joined together in a single unit or assembly, they react differently to pressures or stressesI ap' plied thereto in the manufacture of the Vshoe and these different reactions tend to cause' wrinkles, looseness between the layers, and other disadvantages which are not easily eradicated from the shoe.

While the attempts that have been made in the close and accurate t of the backY part of anupv per to the heel portion of a last, usually, as stated,

by subjecting the back part assembly toV pressure,V

applied in various ways by molds shaped in accordance with the heel portion of a last, have been source of trouble and expense tov the manufacturer'.

Since the recent increased popularity of theY so-called two-part sandal type shoe the above` problem has become more' acute because the back 15 part of the upper of such a shoe, although formed as a complete unit or assembly as in other shoes, is usually made up and assembled in the shoe separately from the forepart or vamp portion of the upper. This back part assembly, however, is required to t the heel portion of the last -Y closelyand accuratelyV if a good shoe is to be made notwithstanding the fact that there' is no i integral Vamp or forepart onrthis type of upper assembly and sometimes, as in the so-,called fopen shank shoes, no appreciable shank portion to assist in holding ther back part unit in close `tting relation to the heel portion of the last.

Moreover, the back parts of both types of uppers,

that is, the full lengh or closed upper of the ordinary shoe and the back part assembly of thel two-part sandal must, in accordance with the practices referred to, be flanged at their lower marginal portions to cause these-portions to overlap the heel seat portions of the insoles and lasts before the uppers are assembled with their insoles. Additional difficulties have arisen'in connection with this operation due to excessive and uneven wrinkling of the materials which constitute the flange and thel impossibility of main- 40- taining the flange ina proper bent position.

Since' these diihculties have never been fully overcome they have further contiplicatedY the problem'.

An object of thev present invention is to provide an improved machine for use in operatingrupon shoe uppers with the aid of which the abovediiiculties may be eliminated or greatly reduced.

To the attainment of thisobject the invention provides, in accordance with one feature, an improved machine having means arranged to hold or support a shoe upper with a portion of its back part free or unsupported, a member ar- .1

ranged to clamp the upper in such position in the machine,` and means carried by the supporting means for engaging and exerting pressure` on the past to overcome the difficulties in obtaining a y free or unsupported portion of the upper while the upper is thus clamped to stretch said unsupported portion relatively to the rest of the upper. In addition to stretching a predetermined localized portion of the back part of the upper, the machine is arranged to apply to the back part, including the previously stretched portion, a brief molding pressure to impart to the back part a shape which corresponds closely to the heel portion of a last.

As herein illustrated, the supporting means.

comprises a work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last or, if desired, shaped to exaggerate somewhat the curvatures'at the heel portion of a last, and provided at its central portion with an opening which is bridged or spanned by the back part of Vthe-upper when it is mounted on the support. The clamping member is arranged to engage the upper on the work support and clamp it in a curved position which simulates the shape it will assume on a last or in a shoe. The pressure exerting means, as herein illustrated, comprises a plunger carried by the work support and movable in the opening for engaging the localized intramarginal portion of the back part `assembly which bridges the opening and stretching such portion a predetermined amount which is preferably beyond the limit of the elastic recovery or elasticity of the materials forming the back part of the upper, or at least is beyond the elastic recovery of the counter stiffener of the back part assembly, thereby rendering the stretched materials relatively inert or limp to prevent their reacting suiciently when pressure is relieved to return to their original condition. The brief molding operation on the back part assembly is accomplished by the co-operative action of the work support, clamping member and plunger after the latter has stretched the intramarginal portion of the back part.

Another feature of the invention comprises the provision of means in the illustrated machine for pleating or corrugating the lower marginal portion of the materials forming the back part assembly coincidently with the stretching of the intramarginal'portion thereof and also for creasing said marginal portion along the line where the ange is to be formed, the corrugating means, as illustrated, comprising a plurality of radially extending projections or ribs on the work support which are caused to corrugate the lower margin of the back part assembly by the pressure of the clamping member while the back part is bent into substantially the shape it will assume on a last or in a shoe. The creasing of the back part along the line where the flange is to be formed is accomplished by a member arranged to extend beyond the operating surface of the work support so that it will be forced against the upper by the clamping pressure.

Still another feature of the invention resides in the provision of means for tensioning the upper on the work support before it is clamped, thereby smoothing the upper materials and eliminating wrinkles therefrom, and insuring that all portions of the back part of the upper will be in close fitting engagement with the work support. As illustrated herein, the upper may be tensioned both lengthwise and heightwise and the tension is preferably maintained until after the stretching operation has been completed. The tensioning means comprises a toe clamp movable with, and relatively to, the work support and, as illustrated, gripper members also movable with, and in relation to, the work support for engaging the upper or its lining and pulling it tightly over the support. The tensioning of the upper before it is clamped not only eliminates any wrinkles that may have been formed in the materials when introduced into the machine, but it also pulls the upper closely against the work support around the upper edge or top line of the upper.

With the above and other features and aspects in view, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings and will thereafter be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the machine embodying the present invention, the

mechanism being shown in its inoperative position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a back part upper unit or assembly of a two-part upper for a sandal type shoe after the unit has been operated upon by the machine;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 of the back part unit after a flange has been formed thereon;

Fig. 4 is another perspective view of the unit showing the smooth condition of its inner side after it has been shaped and flanged;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the machine in an operative position, parts of the machine being broken away or shown in section;

- Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the machine as viewed from the right in Fig. 5, parts of the mechanism being shown in section;

Fig. '7 is a front elevation of the machine with portions shown in section;

' Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a full length or closed upper after the heel end or back part thereof has been operated upon by the machine;

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the back part of the closed upper after it has been flanged;

.10` Fig. 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line The machine comprises an upstanding frame 20 having bolted to its upper end a U-shaped bracket 22 (Figs. 1 and 6) reinforced on its outer side by ribs 24 and having formed on its in- `ner side a ydownwardly projecting boss 26 provided with forwardly and rearwardly extending ribs 28. The bracket 22 supports a work clamping or holddown member, indicated generally in the `drawings by the numeral 29, and

comprising a mold mounted for oating movement by means of a toggle arrangement pivotally connected to the bracket. The bracket 22 is provided at its opposite sides with bosses in which are mounted horizontal pins 30. Pivoted mrupon each of the pins are a pair of downwardly extending links 32 the lower ends of which are pivotally connected by pins 34 to carrier members 36 (Figs. 1 and 7) comprising relatively thin angle plates reinforced at their opposite edges with ribs 38. The carrier members 36 are pivotally connected or hinged to each other by a horizontal pin 40 which extends through interengaging bosses 42 (Fig. 5) formed on the carrer members. The pivot 120 and the links 32 Iprovide a floating toggle arrangement whereby the members 36 will be caused to swing upwardly and inwardly toward each other when pressure is applied to their lower sides.

Each of the carrier members 36 has a for- 'Wardly and rearwardly extending rib 44 on its imperi-l. -slde1...adjacent:zto the xpm iilfftheseiribs beingflocatedr zat; all times between --the .ribs '.23 on the :bracket-il 22` ato. flimit or fcontroli the; lateral swinging movement of.; the; members'a Vas'l they .move. :zupwardly ...under 1 pressure. T'Ihew. carrier lmembers@ 136;. :are normally rmaintained fin.: their :.lower'for .'openrpositionI byA a ycompression:spring il mounted in thezbossfZBr and-:engaging-;rthe

ribs 44, the spring bearing at its uppervfzend aagainst anshoulderon anaadjustingscrewxlis in..10:

itheilbra'cket 22 and providedlfwithia nut :Suffer "locking the :screwin adjusted position,v the .screw @providing `Lmeansforf Varying theltensionlof the spring vl--Mounited-.vin leach-y carrierf.member di 6'. is: a: rfiller fblock=.52i(Fgs;T 7 fandfll) formedsfof woodJor :somesir'nilaranon-yieldingmaterial 4and :preferl-ablyl: having: an :innen-surface which.. conforms Substantially.: to4 the'. Ishape-Johthe 2 .back or .wheel Mpor-tion l"of a* last @laterally i andi longitudinally, 120

` theseliillen blocks beingv replaceable' by othersf'oi `=diiferentcontours ,for shoes of-'l different :shapes forsizes. "i Located-Hin the Nopeningi .between the llller Ablocks 52 --is anouter l or female -mold.--;5l-

composed :ot resilientfmaterial, such as rubber,`

-or a1composition` thereof, whichfis `preferably. of sucir firmness `ori-rigidity that itcan-be .deformed only-by lrelatively'-:heavy pressure. LAs shown in fliigs.L 7- v-and'l'lOg-the mold54 is vpreferably fof sublstan-tial-ly uniform thickness y throughout `and 1 covers'ithe -inner .sur-faces of l the v filler-blocks '-52 and l the opening betwz-:en the `blocks'- to Kprovide a smooth; f continuous clamping or- -mold-i-ng.- surfface Y' conforming approximately in i shape to the heel -portion of a-'last andi especially adapted for vclamping land molding the backA part of l a shoe upper. iff-desired,V thev iiller blocksl 52fmay vbe 'atonitheirinner-sides and the mold' 54-*may l'have aflat4 outer side toco'ntacttherewith while Vconforming-on'its v'inner-surface to the shape of a last.

'-Asebest shown in- Fig.` 7.thef1ower portionwof the-mold 54` overlapsthe` llerblocks 52;thereby Vholding them` in position/inthe carrierA mem- -bers 36."'Theinold`itself is retained inthe oarf? frierfmembersby- U-shaped lbars-E lsecuredfby screws 58 to the carrier membersand `having their inner sides projectingupwardlyinto slots 4formed inthe-opposite sides 'ofv the vmold M54. The

-forwa`rd -and rear-sides of the moldware confined respectively "in the carrierV members by `plates -`51- andee59 Vsecured vto said'enembersby screws "6 I. In lorderto reduce' tol a--minimum Y the friction-between the work- :piece and -the clamping ,'r

vmember orholddown 29- and'thereby avoidthe "formation of `wrinkles or creasesiin the upper materials operated upon,y the inner surface of :the resilient *mold 54 is llinedwith aA layer .of leather-60 Whichis :clamped against the lower `end-ofthe holddown between Ithe bars 55 kand fpla-tese {i2-by means of screws1 64 'and is held aga-inst the innerconning plates 51 .by screws '63.

The workpiece to be operated upon is introducedinto-the\machineon.a work support vor -form- 66;;sometimes called a plug, mounted on itheupper end .of mechanism which maybe referred to generally as a. jack 68. v The work lpiece may comprise al backpart upper unit orassem- .bly vrA' `(lig.. .2)r of. aso-called two-.part sandal .type..shoe,.or it may comprise thebackpart.- or heeLportion of. a.fulllengthupper B (Fig, 8), the latter .being commonly known inthe artfas a closed upper. `Since the machneqisfprovided AWith special .mechanisms for operatingsupon a `:full length:or.clos`ed upper B,which;are.iiiihec -essaryfwhencoperating,xupon fthe :back marinassemblyr .A,1;1'.heiv description of. fthe .machine A-will ebe made witlfrvparticular.referencegto aclosed upperx .with the;;understanding;:that, inlithe; operation-g ofzthe ;machine,f the results .are substan- .itiallyithezsame on :both .types ofv workw The maa-terials Lforminggth-e' backv part ofsthe yupper-are `:preferably putrinto a :mulled zor;Y tempered .con-

:dition by.-moisture prior toubeing.` presented. to the machine.

".The jacks-584s .f/mountedson a piston sw. arfrangedgior .vertical Yrec-iprocating movement .1 in a cylinder .12 .securedto thebase iof therframe 2lb-by boltsl. At its lower portion thelcylinder .i12.issfprovidedwith an opening into Awhich` is :threaded apipe :116 yconnectedffat itsl other-end .toa rotary .pump 1 (-not shown)` arranged to force fluid.. .such vas voil under 1 pressure, into the cylinder to move l the piston` andV jack :upwardly :and thus iorcethe workhsupportt against the. holdvdown 29 vwitha-predetermined pressurefor a ispeciedlengthof time, the lpreSSureiOrthe rop- Y-erationlto beperform'ed in the present instance beingfpreferably aboutflOO pounds to thesquare 'inch :and fthei period --ofpressure being approximately three or fourseconds. 'IIheI operation-of 5 the` hydraulic power plant may be eiected-by an electricmotor (not shown) which may be' controlled bythe operator by any-usual Ameans such fas. an electric'switch. -Whenthe power is turned KVoithepiston 'I0 ydescends inthe cylinder under ltheweight-of the' jack fthereby expellingthe I:fluid from the cylinder-through the pipefl; The vertical reciprocatingmovement of the'ljack` is .limited in fboth directions by a 'pin-"Iwextending horizontally through the piston fil).` and having its opposite ends projecting intofvertical slots-i813 .inthe cylinder 12.

',Onythe .upper side of. the piston 10 .is a'pairof ,.upstanding ears 82 between whichis mountediorv angular.4 adjustment about a. pin :84 a f supporting :block -861the lowerend of which is secured. in adfjusted position by a set screw 88.v Pivotally'connected to the upper end of the block lliti by apin 'S0 isalink; 92. uponwhichis formed a lateral iprojectionfagi having a=-hole therein parallel-to fthe. link. v.Aleveriufl of substantiallength and fintegral.- with Athe linlrv 92 .providesL a handle .wherebythe link.292 `may-'be rotated about the Y.pivotafilL '.Wheni the mechanism is in its inoperativenpositiom as '.shown'in Fig. l, the link 92' eX- 'tends forwardlyandthe handle 94 issubstanltially vertical.

4Pivotally.connected to thebther end of the llink 92by. a pin 96 is a coupling 93 into which is fthreadedfor adjustment heightwise .of thedjack the lower fend of a piston itil., a nut 1G2-being provided for securingthe .pistonV in adjustedvpozsition relatively tothe coupling. The coupling .98 and piston .m0, together with the link 92 form, in eifect, a toggle arrangement wherebythe Work supportr may be raised. and lowered .relatively to. theiwork clamp'or holddovvn 28 independently oithe `hydraulic pressure applying mechanism. .When 'the ytoggle is broken the. link 92 .extends forwardly and downwardly and the coupling and pistonV extendupwardly at right angles thereto so that the-jack is inclined forwardly towardthe :front of. the machine, as shown in Fig. 1.

'The couplingfg is provided with a holelin A'which `is slidably. mounted a locking pin 'm4,'. the upper endy of the pintbeing bent at right angles to form a. handle. When .thei f toggle :92, -;98;..:.is .straight ythe pin f ['04, is arranged@ to bel inserted into the hole in the lower link 92 and lock that link rigidly to the coupling 98, thereby preventing the toggle from breaking during the application of pressure to the work piece. When the mechanism is in its idle position with the tog- Agle broken and the jack swung forwardly toward the operator, the pin |04 is withdrawn from the hole in the link 92 and is held away from the link by engagement with a notch |06 formed in the upper end of a plate |08 fastened by screws to the coupling 98.

The piston extends into the lower end of a cylindrical housing I l0 and is provided at its upper end with a shoulder II2 (Fig. 5) against which is seated a spring 4 the upper end of which engages the housing and thus yieldingly.

supports the latter on the piston |00 while allowing relative sliding movement between these two members lengthwise of each other. The piston |00 also carries an upstanding rod l |6 which is secured therein by a set screw ||8.

The housing l0 projects rearwardly at its upper portion, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 12, and has rigidly secured thereto by bolts an upstanding U-shaped casting |22 which increases in width at its upper end and forms a carrier for the work support 68, the member |22 being referred to hereinafter for convenience as a horn. When the machine is in its inoperative position with the jack swung forwardly toward the operator, the forward inclination of the jack and horn |22 is determined by a chain |24 connected to the horn and to the frame 20. When the toggle 92, 98 is straightened and the jack is located in its operative position, the rearward position of the jack is determined by a roll |23 (Figs. 1 and 11) to locate the jack in a vertical position, the roll being mounted on a pin |28 extending transversely between a pair of fixed arms |30 which project forwardly from the rear side of the frame 20, the arms |30 projecting a sufficient distance forwardly beyond the roll to straddle the horn |22 and thereby serve as a guide for the latter in its rearward and upward movement.

The work support 65 comprises a fixed forward member |32 which is substantially U-shaped in cross section (Fig. 7) and conforms closely to the shape of the heel portion of a last, as best shown in Figs. 5, '7 and 10, although it may, if desired, exaggerate the curvatures of the last. The member |32 has an opening |34 of predetermined shape and size in its upper portion and is secured to the horn |22 by a screw |35, The inner or rear part of the work support comprises a second xed member |38 shaped to conform approximately to the heel end of a last adjacent to the last bottom, this member being arranged for adjustment heightwise of the horn |22 by a stud screw |46 (Fig. 5) provided with an adjusting nut |42, thereby adapting the work support for operating on uppers of different shapes and sizes. The adjustable member |33 has secured to its forward surface by screws a hardened steel plate |44 the edge face of which projects a short distance beyond the adjacent edge of the member |38. The plate |44 is arranged to produce a crease or indentation around the inner side of the upper materials when they are placed under pressure and thereby establish a line upon which the marginal portion of the upper may be bent inwardly to form the flange at the heel portion thereof. As will be seen in Figs. 1 and 6, the member |38 is corrugated at its upper portion by a 'plurality of radially extending grooves |48 which converge from front to rear and are adapted to produce radially extending corrugations or pleats in the marginal portion of the upper assembly below the crease referred to above, these corrugations assisting in the formation of the flange on the upper by controlling the distribution of the material as it isbent inwardly around the Curve at the heel portion of the last bottom.

Referring to the rod l5 which is secured in the piston |00 by the set screw H8, the upper end of this rod has secured thereto .anupwardly extending curved arm |48 which is relatively narrow in cross section, as shown in Fig. 11, and is arranged to reciprocate heightwise between the side walls of the horn |22. At its upper end thearm |48 carries a'pin |50 which extends upwardly through holes in the horn and the member |32 and is bored and threaded internally (Fig. 5) to receive an adjustable pin |52 which has secured to its upper end by a set screw |56 a plunger |54 (Figs. 5 and 10). The outer surface of the plunger |54 is shaped to register accurately with the edges of the opening |34 when the plunger is in its upper position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, but when the plunger is depressed relatively to the members |32, |38 of the `work support, the continuity of the outer surface ofthe support is broken and a substantial aperture or opening is produced therein directly opposite the heel end of the last and approximately at the point of greatest curvature heightwise thereof. When the plunger is elevated the continuity of the work supporting surface of the support is restored and the back part or heel portion of the upper will be engaged at its intramarginal portion and stretched by the plunger into conformity with the clamping mold or holdown 29 and will thereafter be compressed or molded between the holddown and an inner mold or work support 35, including the plunger |54, so that the back part of the upper will, in the ultimate result, have been subjected to a stretching operation at a localized or intramarginal portion thereof and also to a brief molding operation over the entire back part, including the portion which was stretched by the plunger.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that when the closed upper B is first mounted on the work support with the plunger |54 in its lower position, the intramarginal portion of the back part of the upper which bridges the opening |34 will be-free of the support and substantially Yflat or straight heightwise of the upper. After the heel portion of the upper has been clamped against the work support 65 by the holddown 29, the plunger |54 is elevated to engage the straight portion of the upper. Continued upward movement of. the plunger into alinement with the supporting members 65 and |38 exerts on this straight portion of the upper a stretching action which stretches and conforms the back part of the upper accurately to the curvature of the heelend of a last. The construction is such that there is no appreciable stretching of the clamped portions of the back part assembly, thereby confining the stretching action primarily to the localized intramarginal portion of the back part engaged by the plunger. Moreover, the amount of stretching is controlled or limited by the outer mold or clamping member 20 and by a flat surface |58 on the arm |48 which is arranged to engage the lower surface at the upper end of the horn |22, as shown in Fig. 5.

It should be explained at this point vthat the term conforming as used herein, is intended to refer particularly to the stretching or deforming of the upper materials as distinguished from the molding or compressing of these materials between a pair of coacting molds having continuous molding surfaces. The term fmoldingf. on the other hand, is intended to denote a genuine molding or compressing operation between continuous molding surfaces which act to set or stabilize the upper materials by compression. The action of the work support 66, holddown 29, and plunger 54 on'the heel portion of the upper, therefore, in accordance with the foregoing definitions, will be a molding action at all clamped portions of the upper anda stretching or conforming operation followed by a brief molding or setting operation over the portion engaged byv the plunger |54. In order to preventthe formation of creases or wrinkles in the lining of the upper, the work support is covered with a thin sheet of stretchable material |59, such as rubber, fastened over the-support by a plurality of hooks |6|.

The operation of the jack in causing the work pieceto be clamped between the work support and the holddown and also in causing the plunger |54 to operate to stretch and subsequently mold a localized portion thereof ris as follows: A work piece comprising, for example, a pre-assembled closed upper such as B, having its counter Vstiffener preferably in a fiat unmolded condition, `is placed over the last-shaped work support66, as shown in Fig. 1, with its heel portion opposite the plunger |54 and bridgingthe opening |34. After locating and tensioning the upper in a manner to be later described, the operator swings the jack inwardly about the pivot 96 and moves the handle 94 into the position shown in Fig. 5, thereby swinging the link 92' upwardly and rearwardly and straightening the toggle 92, 98 to move the work support 66 upwardly into engagement with the holddown 29. He then starts the power-operated hydraulic mechanism to elevate'the piston 16 which moves the piston |66 upwardly against the springl'M. After compression of the spring a predetermined amount, the housing and horn |22'.move upwardly to bring the upper yieldingly against the holddown 29. Upward pressure against the holddown forces the pivot 4|lupward against the spring 46 and the two pairs of links 32 swing inwardly about their pivots 39 to close Vthe holddown forcibly around the work support and into clamping relation with the Work piece. Throughout this movement rthe toggle 92, |98 is locked in its straight position by the pin .|64 whichwas inserted in the toggle link 9'2 before the power was started.

After the work piece has been clamped as described,` upward movement of the plunger 10 and horn |22 ceases but the piston |60 continues to move upwardly to further compress the spring ||4 and to move the arm |48vand plunger |54 positively upward until the upper end of the arm engages the horn l|22 and the outer surface of the plunger registers with the edges of the work supporting members |32, |38, thereby stretching the straight intramarginal portion ofthe upper which bridges the opening |34 into conformity with the plunger and the clamping member or mold 54. The stretching movement vofr the plunger, While being insufficient to break the upper materials, in sufcient to stretch the several layers of material at the central or intramarginal portion of the back part assembly beyond the limits of `their elastic recovery, that is to say, beyond 'the limits of their complete elastic recovery or their elasticity.` Accordingly, after being stretched. thesermaterials can not react and return to their original condition.l Since the tensile strengths or resistances of the different materials forming the heel portion of the upper, as well as'their powers of vrecovery or resiliences, will usually differ considerably from each other, the operative movement of the plunger is determined by the pressure required to stretch the counter member orr stiffener, as it is sometimes called, beyondthe limit of its elasticity, the fibrous material of counter stiffeners beingsubstantially of uniform strength and resiliency in all types of shoes.

YAs stated above, itis `desirable to have the `upper or Iback part assemblytensioned over the work support to insure that the heel portion thereof is in close engagement with the members |32 and '|38 of the work support and also to vinsure that the portion bridging-the openingf|34 is taut about the support. To this end the machine is provided with a toe clamp or gripper arranged to grip the toe portion of a rfull `length or closed upper somewhat' forwardlyv of the tip line. The toe clamp comprises a curved'r inner plate |66 arranged to engage the lining of the upper at the toe end thereof and a correspondinglyy curved plate |62 movable relatively to the inner plate Vvfor clamping the upper-against said inner plate,

the vvouter plate being preferably covered with leather |63 (Fig. 11) or similar material secured to it by screws |64 to prevent scarring the upper. The inner clamping plate |60 is provided at its central portion with two forwardly and upwardly extending integral arms |66 which carry at their outer ends a horizontal pin |68. Pivoted on the pin |68 is a lever |10 which is pivotally connected at its inner end by a pin |12 to a link |14. The inner end of the link |14 is bifurcated to'form'ears (Fig. 11) which are pivotally connected by screws |16 (Figs. 1 and 11) to ears on a plate |18 the lower end of which is pivotally mounted on a pin |86 (Figs. 1 and-5) carried by the arms |66. Also pivoted on the transverse pin |60 is an upstanding member 82 which 'supports' the outer clamping plate |62`, the latter being arrangedy by a ball and socket joint for universal movement to permit the clamp to adjust itself properly 'against the inner plate |66. Y An adjusting screw |64 threaded through the plate |18bears against the member |82 so that the position of the latter may be varied relatively to the lever |10 and thereby permit variation of the pressure ofthe two vclamping plates. Ihe construction of the lever |10 and link |14 comprises, in effect, a toggle arrangement which, when the toggle is straight as shown in Fig. 5, holds the outer clamp |62 positively againstthe inner clamp 6|) to grip the toe portion of the upper. A pair of springs |86 (Figs. 1 and 11), connected at their forward ends to the pin |68 and at their inner ends to the upstanding member |82, are provided for urging lthe outer clamp |62 away from the inner clamp whenthe toggle is broken. In the operation of the toe clamp, the toe portion of the upper is introduced by the operator between the two clamping plates and the lever |16 is swung downwardly to straighten the toggle and thus clamp the work.

After the toe portion of the upper has been gripped in the manner described, the toe clamp or gripper is moved downwardly in a vertical direction to'tension the upper about the work support 66.. To accomplish this there is provided a substantially U-shaped casting |88 (Figs. 1 and 11) having forwardly extending ears |90 which are fastenedV to the lower portion of the horn |22 by screws |92. At its rear portion the casting |88 has upwardly projecting side walls |94 provided with horizontal slots |86 forming guideways in each of which is mounted for forward Vand rearward movement relatively to the jack a substantially T-shaped guide member |98 provided with a` horizontal slot 200 (Fig. 1) through which a thumb screw 202 passes for securing the guide member in adjusted position in the slot .|96. The forward portions of the guide members |98 extend-heightwise of the jack and are provided with slots 204 and reinforcing lugs 205. The opposite end portions of the inner toe clamp |60 are provided with lugs into which are threaded screws 206 which ride in the slots204 and thus cause the tensioning movement of the toe clamp to be always in a, direction heightwise of the jack or, when the jack is in its operative position, in a Vertical direction. Moreover, the path of` this movement will also be in a plane which is substantially' parallel to the plane of the bottom of the heel end of the last upon which the upper is to be mounted in constructing the shoe.

Pivotally connected to the screws 206 are forwardly and downwardly extending links 208 which are pivotally connected at their lower ends by screws l2|0 to the forward portion of a yoked lever 2|2 (best shown in-Figs. 1 and 12) having rearwardly extending armswhich straddle the housing and are pivotally connected at their rearward ends by a pin 2|4 to a projection 2|6 formed on the lower portion of the horn |22. At

itsvforward end the yoked lever 2|2 is provided .with a handle 2|8 whereby the lever may be rotated downwardly about the iixed pivot 2|4 to pull the toe clamp downwardly through the aid of the links 288.

In order to lock the toe clamp in its lowered position and thus maintain the tension on the upper, the yoked lever 2|2 carries a latch 226 (Fig. 5) movably secured to the lower side of the lever 2|2 by a slot and screw connection 22|, the ,latch being arranged to engage ratchet teeth 223 ,formed on an upstanding bar 222 pivotally connected by a pin 224 to a plate 226 adjustably secured by screws 228 (Figs. 1 and 12) to a shoulder or iiange on the lower end of the housing 4lll). The upper portion of the bar 222 is guided in-an opening in the yoked lever 2|2 and the .latch 220 is normally urged into engagement with the ratchet teeth 223 by a spring 230 extending between the latch and a projection on the handle 2|8. A latch releasing handle 232 is pivoted at 234 on the handle 2|8 and is connected to the latch by a link 236 to permit the latch to be released manually from locking engagement Awith Ythe ratchet when it is desired to relieve the tension on the upper.

It is desirable, when operating on uppers of different shapes and sizes, to adjust the toe clamp angularly to meet different conditions and to this end the left-hand side of the inner clamping 'member |60, as viewed lfrom the front of the machine, has formed integrally therewith a downwardly extending arm 238 the lower portion of which comprises a segment 240 struck from the ycenter 286 and provided with a slot 242 (Fig. 1). A screw 244 (Fig. 11) extends through the slot in the segment-240 and into the adjacent link V208 toV secure this link and the arm rigidly together and thereby to determine the initial anguiar position of the arm and the inner clamping'plate |66. Adjustment of the screw 244 along the slot^242 varies the angular position of the plate |68 about the center 266.

In addition to tensioning the work piece lengthwise over the work support 66, means is provided for exerting heightvw'se tension on the upper or back part assembly 'by engaging and tensioning the upper or its lining at the heel portion thereof to insure that the lining lies smoothly over the work support and also to assist in bringing the upper edge or top line of the upper into close engagement with the work support. Adjustably secured to the back portion of the horn |22 by slot and screw connections 246 is a bracket 248 the upper end of which extends at right angles to its lower portion and is provided with a T-slot 250 in which is mounted a slide 252. At its forward end the slide is provided withan upwardly extending boss 254 (Fig. 5) to which is secured by a screw 256 a cross piece 258 provided with forwardly extending gripper jaws 260 (Fig, 10) Pivoted to the left-hand end of the cross piece 258, as viewed from the front of the machine, by a pin 262 is a 1ever 264 carrying a forwardly extending gripper jaw 266 which cooperates with the fixed gripper jaw 260 and has a rearwardly extending portion secured by a pin 268 to a lever 210 of suflicient length to form a handle 212. Pivoted on a pin 214 in the opposite end of the cross piece 258 is another lever 216 provided with a forwardly extending gripper jaw co-operating with theadjacent xed jaw 260 andv extending rearwardly of the pivot 214, as shown -in Fig. 10. Pivotally connected to the rear portion of the lever 216 by a pin 218 is a second lever 280 the rear end of which is pivotally connected by a pin 282 to a link 284 extending toward the lever 210 and pivotally connected thereto' by 'a pin 286. The foregoing construction provides two pairs of gripper jaws for gripping the lower marginal portion of the lining of the upper at its opposite sides and tensioning the lining by pulling it downwardly or, as viewed in the machine, rearwardly of the work support which is equivalent to pulling the lining downwardly on a last.

To open and close the gripper jaws the lever 212 is swung about the p-ivot 268' to break or straighten the toggle formed by the link 284 and the inner portion of the lever 212. To maintain the toggle mechanism in a proper position there is provided a rearwardly extending arm 288 rigidly secured to the cross piece 258 by the screw 256, the rear portion of the arm having a slot 290 in which the toggle pin 286 travels. To accommodate different thicknesses of materials the movable jaws 266 and 216 may be adjusted relatively to the xed inner jaws 260 by a pair of adjusting screws 292, 294 (Fig. 10) extending through the lever 280 and bearing against the lever 216. To make the adjustment the operator loosens the vertical screw256 and releases the arm 288 and he then loosens one of the adjusting screws and tightens the other, or vice versa, sufficiently to change the leverage between the levers 216 and 280, which action swings the arm 288 in a direction to eiect a corresponding movement of the lever 264 carrying the movable jaw 266. After the proper adjustment of the jaws is obtained, the operator tightens the screw 256 to lock the arm 288 in adjusted position.

After the lining of the upper has been gripped by the gripping jaws through straightening of the toggle 212, 284, the slide 252 is moved rearwardly to pull the lining in that direction and tension it rearwardly of the work support or heightwise of the upper itself. Rearward and forward movement of the slide is accomplished by a hand wheel 296 (Figs. 6 and 10) keyed to a shaft 28 which carries on its inner end a pinion 395 arranged to mesh with gear teeth 362 formed teeth in engagement with the detent by a comy pression spring SIB surrounding the shaft 2% between the hand wheel and a washer 3i2 secured to the shaft by a pin 3M. In the operation of the lining tensioning mechanism the operator pulls vthe hand wheel laterally against the tension of the spring 3l@ to release the detent from the ratchet teeth and he then rotates the hand wheel until the desired tension is obtained, after which he releases the hand wheel which becomes locked automatically through the action of the spring 3l.

Although the operation of the machine in stretching and molding the back part or heel portion of an upper will be apparent from the foregoing description, a brief summary thereof will be given for clearness and to insure a proper understanding of the invention. An upper B of the closed type (Fig. 8) usually comprises a full length outer layer Slt of leather, articial leather or fabric, a fabric or leather lining BIB, and, at its back part or quarter portion, a counter stiener SZ of some fibrous material, the counter stiffener being sometimes, but not always, slightly curved widthwise by an operation in its manufacture and being located between the outer layer and the lining with a coating of cementsuch as latex or rubber cement on both sides which will cause the inner and outer layers to adhere to the counter stiffener after the cement has set. It may be pointed out that while these back part upper units or as-semblies may be put together in different ways, sometimes, for example, by inserting the counter stiifener between the outer layer of the upper materials and the lining after the outer layer and lining have been stitched together around one edge to form a pocket, and sometimes by placing the three layers or plies of the upper upon each other while fiat with cement therebetween, pressing the layers together, and then stitching around their peripheries through all three layers and trimming the edges thereof, the precis-e manner of assembling or constructing the back part portion of the upper, whether of the closed type or a back part unit for a two-part sandal type shoe, is immaterial so far as the present invention is concerned.

The back part of the upper is bent to impart thereto a substantially U-shaped curve and the upper is introduced into the machine with its assembled back part engaging the work support 6E and its inner or lower marginal portion overlying the member l 46 of the support the amount which is to form the flange around the lower edge of the upper. In the case of the full length or closed upper B, the toe portion is inserted in and gripped by the toe clamp |60, I 52, and the upper is placed under lengthwise tension by actuation of the handle 2 i8 to draw the back part tightly around the work support, this tension being maintained by the locking pawl. 220. The Atensioning of the closed upper lengthwise in this manner removes any wrinkles that may have been formed in the lining or the outer layer of the back part when the. upper wasr bent into a U shape over the Work support.

The ,opposite sides lof the lining 3|@ of the closed upper .are next inserted into the-gripper .jaws .260, 266 and 2'l'6 and the lining is placed under heightwise or rearward tension to straighten it on the Work support, and alsorto cause the top line ofthe upper to be pulled tightly .against the support, by actuation of the lever l212 which operates the toggle 210, 284, the tension being maintained, as described above, by the detent 36E and ratchet teeth 368. The tensioning of the back part assemblies heightwise, or rearwardly with-respectfto the machine, eliminates wrinkles and smooths out and straightensithe lining in the same manner that an operator does manually with pincers over a last in the .so-called spindling operation prior to the side lasting and heel seat lasting operations on a shoe, except that, in the present case, the upper is not mounted on a last at the time kand no assembling or pulling-over operations have been performed thereon. In the case of a back part upper assembly for a sandal type shoe, in whichv the materials forming theback .part may have been stitched together during its construction, the opposite side portions of the assembly-may, if desired, be inserted in the gripper jaws and tensioned heightwisel or rearwardly of the work support in the man-ner just described.

The jack is swung inwardly into operative position about the pivot St and the handle 94 is vlowered to elevate the jack and bring the upper into engagement with the mold 54 of the clamping member or holddown 29. The locking pin |04 is inserted in the toggle link 92 to prevent the toggle from breaking while pressure is being applied and the power is started to cause the hydraulic mechanism to elevate the piston 10 and, through the mechanisms already described, to press the work support 56 forcibly against the holddown 29, thereby `clarnpingthe back partv or heel portion of the upper rmly against the work support except at the intramarginal portion which bridges the opening |34 in the work support, the materials at that portion being free of the supportand being substantially iiat or straight heightwise of the upper. As the clamping pressure increases through compression of the spring H4, the plunger |54 moves positively upward into engagement with the straight portion of the upper spanning the opening and stretches that portion into accurate conformity with the outer mold 54 of he holddown and, accordingly, into `close conformity with the curvature at the heel end of a last. The entire heel portion ofthe upperfincluding the localized central portion of the back part engaged by the plungenis then subjected to a brief molding operation under substantial pressure, after which the machine power is shutoff to permit the jack to descend by gravity to its inoperative position where the operator breaksthe toggle 92, 98, swings the jack outwardly, releases the tensioning devices, and removes the prestretched and molded upper from the work support.

As mentioned above, the procedure -is vsomewhat simpler when operating on a back .part upper unit or assembly cf a two-part sandal type shoe such as the assembly A shown i'n Figs. 2 to fi, inclusive. A unit of this type .generally comprises an outer layer 322fof leather orfabric, a

lining 324 of fabric or thin leather, and a counter stiffener of fiber 326 which has been coated on both sides with cement and inserted between the outer layer and lining by one of the methods referred to to complete the assembly. The back part assembly A is presented to the work support t usually in a flat or unmolded condition, is

ent around the support, and is held in a curved U-shape position by the operator and, if desired, by the gripper members Z, 236 and 216 while the operator swings the jack inwardly and elevates' the work support by the handle 94 to move the upper into engagement with the mold 54 of the holddown 29. After the back part assembly has been moved into engagement with the holddown, the operator starts the machine power to subject the back part, or a predetermined localized portion thereof, to the stretching operation described above and to subject the entire backpart to a brief molding operation under substantial pressure.

It will be seen from Figs. 2 and 8, which show the uppers or back part assemblies after they have been operated upon by the present machine, that the heel or back parts of both types of uppers have been stretched sufficiently at localized intramarginal portions thereof and while bent into the U-shaped positions they would assume in a shoe to cause these back parts to conform closely to the curves at the heel portion of a last or, if desired, to cause said back parts to curve a little more than corresponding portions of the last. Moreover, the back parts have also been subjected to a brief molding operation under substantial pressure which causes their side or wing portions to simulate the curves at the opposite sides of the heel end of the last. The lower marginal portions of the assembled back parts have also been corrugated or pleated while held in the position referred to under the clamping and molding pressure to produce pleats or ridges 328 and 33t (Figs. 2 and 8 respectively) which converge inwardly, or radially as viewed from above, and greatly facilitate the formation of the iange on the lower margin of the upper by controlling the distribution of the marginal material when the flange is bent, especially around the curve at the heel end of the last bottom.

It should be pointed out that uppers which have had their back part assemblies treated in the manner described above, whether closed uppers or back part units for two-part sandal shoes, may, if desired, be assembled with their insoles on lasts without any further preparation and subjected to the usual operations in constructing the shoe, namely, the pulling-over operation and the side, toe and heel seat lasting operations, the heel seat lasting operation serving in such case to mold the back part of the Lipper again into close conformity with the shape of the heel portion of the last, through the action of the heel band or molds of the heel seat lasting machine, and operating also to bend the lower marginal portion of the back part assembly inwardly by means of wipers or plates to form the ange on the back part of the upper, after which the usual heel seat fastenings will be inserted to complete the lasting operation. 'I'he condition of these back part upper assemblies is such, therefore, at the completion of the stretching and molding operations, that the uppers may, if desired, be assembled with their insoles on lasts and the construction of the shoes may be completed without further conditioning of the back parts, thereby eliminating, for example, any special flanging operation or further molding of the back part.

It is sometimes desirable to subject the back parts of the uppers to further preparation before assembling them with insoles either on lasts or separately from lasts, particularly with respect to the back parts of two-part sandal type shoes because these back parts are citen assembled with their insoles without the usual heel seat lasting operation and must, therefore, be iianged at their lower marginal portions prior to such assembly so they can be built into the shoe. In order to complete the preparation of such back parts and put them into proper condition for assembly with their insoles, the uppers, as indicated above, may be subjected to a flanging operation in any conventional type of counter molding machine, in which case the pre-stretched and molded back parts will again be molded to the shape of a last during the flanging operation. The pre-shaped back part may, for example, while still in temper or a mulled condition, be mounted in a counter molding machine of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 467,- 473, granted January 19, 1892, on an application led in the name of William C. Stewart, and it may be anged by the wipers of such machine during which operation it will also be subjected to molding pressure between the coacting molds of the machine for a sufcient period of time to insure that the several layers of the back part assembly will become permanently set or stabilized in the desired shape and position. This additional molding of the back part assembly further compresses the materials thereof and causes these materials, including any extra material produced by the initial stretching operation, to assume the desired last-like shape without setting up any internal tensions or strains which would tend subsquently to urge the materials out of their molded shape or position. It will be seen that, since the materials at the intramarginal portion of the back part of the upper have been stretched beyond the limit of their resiliency or elastic recovery, the bers of these materials will have become relatively inert and limp and will have practically no tendency to react and return to their original unmolded shape or condition. In cases where either the lining or the outer layer of the back part assembly may not have been stretched beyond the limit of its elastic recovery in the stretching and molding operation, the relatively rigid counter stiiener, which is always stretched beyond the limit of its elastic recovery, `will prevent a return of these materials to their original condition after the cement between the counter stiifener and these other layers has set or become tacky. Accordingly, the last-like shape imparted to the heel portion of the upper will be retained indefinitely due '1n a large measure at least to the stretching and molding of the back part in the present machine.

In molding the back part of the upper in a counter molding machine of the type referred to, the lower marginal portion of the back part is turned inwardly substantially at right angles to its main portion to form the flange by a pair of wipers or plates arranged to be swung inwardly about a pivot over the marginal portion of the upper or back part extending beyond'the molds. In forming the flange considerable downward pressure may be exerted on the upper margin to insure that the ange will remain substantially at right angles to th'e body portion of the upper.

The ange formed on the back part assembly A of a sandal type shoe is indicated by the numeral 332 in Fig. 3 and, in the closed upper B, by the numeral 334 in Fig. 9.

It will be found that the accurate and close Iitting relation of the heel or back part portions of these uppers to the heel portions oftheir lasts which can be obtained through the practice of the present invention renders it unnecessary to mount the uppers on lasts, unless such procedure is preferred, When assembling them With'theirinf soles in constructing the shoe, or to perform the usual pulling-over and heel seat lasting operations prior to the attachment of the outsole. Instead of performing these operations, the back part lof 4the upper may be assembled With its insole and secured directly thereto by astenings such as tacks, staples or similar means Without subjecting the back part to a pulling-over operation either before or after the forepaijt ofthe upper has been lasted to the insole. The outsole may then be applied and attached to the sh'oe in any desired manner as, for example, by nails, stitches or cement. If it is preferred to perform the usual pulling-over and lasting operations, particularly at the heel seat portion of the shoe, the accurate and close fit of the back part assembly to the heel portion of the last will greatly facilitate that procedure because there will be very little tendency to displace the back seam ofl the upper during such operations or, especially in` the closed upper, practically no tendencyto set up internal stresses or strains in the upper materials which might cause wrinkles or subsequent displacement of the materials or otherwise interference with the close and accurate fit of the back part of -the upper to the heel portion of the last.

The methods of making shoes and shaping shoe uppers, als well as the shoe upper per se, have not been claimed herein since they form the subject-matter of a copending application Serial No. 305,619, filed November 22, 1939 in my name as a continuation in part of the present application. v

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new `and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for operating upon shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to hold an upper with a portion thereof free of the support, a member arranged to clamp thel upper against said support, and means for engaging the free portion of the upper from behind the Work supporting surface and exerting pressure thereon outwardly of the support.

2. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a

Work support arranged to hol-d an upper with a` portion of its back part unsupported, a member arranged to clamp the upper against said support, and means for engaging the unsupported` portion of the upper from behind the work sup porting surface and stretching said portion.

3. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, awork support arranged -to hold. an upper With a portion of its back part unsupported, a member arranged to clamp the upper against said support, lsaid member being also arranged to mold the upper to the shape of said support, and means for engaging the `unsupported portion of said back part and stretching it relatively to the clamped portion of the upper and for thereafter applying molding pressure to said unsupported portion.

4. A machine for operating upon th'e back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support provided With an opening, a member arranged toclamp an upper against the Work support with a portion of the upper bridging said opening, and means mounted on the work support for stretching that portion of the upper which bridges the opening from behind the supporting surface of the Work support.

5. A machine for operating upon th'e back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a member arranged to clamp an upper againstV said support with an intramarginal portion` of the upper bridging the opening, and means operatingin said opening for stretching the por-tion of the upper which bridges the opening from behind the Work supporting surface. j

6. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers h'aving, in combination, a Work support arranged to hold an upper With its back part approximating the curved shape it Will assume in a shoe, a member arranged to clamp the upper in said shape on the Work support, and means Iseparate from but mounted on' said Work support for engaging and stretching will assume in a shoe but with anintram'arginal portion of said back part bridging an opening in the support, a member arranged to clamp the upper against the support around said intramarginal portion, and means for exerting pressure on said intrarnarginal portion to stretch it rela-v tively to theclamped portion of the upper outwardly of said support.

8. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support shaped' substantially likethe heel portion of a last and having an opening therein, `a member arranged to press the back part of an upper against said support with an intrarnarginal potrion thereof bridging said opening, said member/being also arranged to co-operate With said support in applying molding pressure to all portions'of said back part except the intrarnarginal portion bridging the opening, and means operating in said opening for engaging and stretching said intrarnarginal portion and for thereafter cooperating With the pressing member in applying molding pressure to said intrarnarginal portion.

9. A machine for operating upon the back partsY of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support arranged to hold an upper with its back part curved substantially as it Will be in a shoe except for an intermediate portion of said backl part which is held relatively straight heightwise thereof, a member arranged to clamp the upper against the support completely around said intermediate portion, and means located in the support for engaging said intermediate portion and forcing it from its straight condition into conformity 'With the curvature of the rest of said baci: part, thereby stretching said intermediate spanning said opening, mechanism for moving the work support toward the clamping member to clamp the upper, and means actuated by said mechanism for stretching the portion of the back part of said upper which spans the opening in the work support.

11. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last, a member arranged to clamp an upper against said work support with the back part of the upper curved as it would be on the pedal portion of said last, mechanism for efiecting relative movement between the work support and the clamping member to cause the latter to clamp the upper against said work support, means carried by the work support for stretching a portion of the back part of said upper, and means for actuating the stretching means after said relative movement has stopped.

12. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support shaped approximately like the heel portion of a last, a member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said work sup- 0 port, mechanism for eiecting relative movement of the work support and clamping member to move said member into clamping relation with the upper, and means actuated by said mechanism after the clamping movement has stopped I for engaging and stretching a portion of the back part of said upper.

13. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a

Work support shaped approximately like the heel portion of a last and having an opening therein, a holddown member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said worlr support with an intramarginal portion of said back part bridging said opening, mechanism for effecting relative movement between the work support and the holddown member to cause the latter to clamp the upper against the Work support, and means operating in said opening and actuated by said mechanism for stretching the portion of the back part of the upper which bridges said opening toward said holddown member.

14. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support provided with an opening, a member arranged to clamp an upper against the work support with a portion of its back part bridging said opening, and a plunger carried by said work support and movable from a position below said opening outwardly of the work support for engaging and stretching the portion of said back part which bridges the opening.

15. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said support with a portion of said back part bridging the opening, mechanism for moving the work support toward the holddown member, a plunger carried by the work support below the work engaging surface thereof for engaging the portion of said bac-k part which bridges said opening and stretching said portion, and means for moving said plunger outwardly of the work support.

16. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said support with an intramarginal portion thereof spanning the opening, means for engaging said intramarginal portion and applying pressure thereto, and mechanism for moving the work support against the holddown member to clamp the upper and for actuating said pressure applying means.

17. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to hold an upper with its back part curved as it would be on a last and with an ntramarginal portion of said back part free of the support, a holddown member arranged to clamp the upper against said support, a plunger for engaging the free intramarginal portion of said back part and stretching it, and mechanism arranged to move the work support and holddown member into clamping relation with each other and to actuate said plunger after movement of the work support and holddown member has ceased.

18. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support having a surface thereon for receiving an upper, a member arranged to clamp the upper against said support, a plunger mounted on the work support for engaging a portion of the upper on the support and stretching said portion outwardly of said support, and mechanism constructed and arranged to move the plunger a predetermined distance toward the surface of the support to stretch said portion of the upper.

19. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support, a member arranged to clamp an upper against said support, a plunger carried by the work support and adapted to engage and stretch a portion of the upper on said support, and mechanism constructed and arranged to move the work support yieldingly against the clamping member to clamp the upper on the support and thereafter to move the plunger pesitively against the upper to stretch the portion thereof engaged by the plunger.

20. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp the heel portion of an upper against the support with an intramarginal portion thereof bridging the opening, a plunger mounted on the work support and ar ranged for movement in said opening for stretching the intramarginal portion of the upper which bridges the opening outwardly of the support, and power operated mechanism for moving the plunger to stretch said intramarginal portion.

21. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp the 'neel portion of an upper against the support with an intramarginal portion of the back part thereof bridging the opening, a plunger arranged for movement in said opening for stretching the intramarginal portion of the upper which bridges the opening, and hydraulically operated mechanism for effecting relative movement of the work support and holddown member to clamp the rupper on said support and arranged also to move the plunger relatively to the work support to cause it to engage and stretch said intramarginal portion of the upper.

22. A machine for operating upon the baci: parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support provided with an opening, a heid" clamping relation, with the vholddovvn, thereby,

dovvnmember arranged to clamp the back part of an-upper against said Work support with an intramarginal portion of said back part bridging the opening, a plunger carried by said Work .support and movable in said opening for engaging and stretching the portion of said back part which bridges the opening, mechanism for moving the Work support yieldingly against the holddown member to cause the latter to clamp the upper, said mechanism being also arranged to movegthe plunger positively against the upper after it has been clamped, thereby stretching the intramarginal portion of the back part of the upper, and means for limiting positive movement of said plunger to control its stretching action.

23. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support provided with an opening, a holddovvn member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said Work support with an intramarginal portion of said back part bridging the opening, a plunger carried by said work support'and movable in said opening for engaging and stretching the portion of said back part which vbridges the opening, means movable to-v ward and from the hold dovvn member for carrying the Vwork support, an arm carried by said carrying means and movable relatively thereto for supporting the plunger, and mechanism for moving the carrying means yieldingly toward the holddown member to clamp the upper on the Work support and for moving said arm positively toward the holddown member after the upper is clamped to cause the plunger to engage and stretch the portion of the upper which bridges the opening in the Work support.

24. A machine for operating on the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support having an opening therein, a holddown member arranged to clamp the heel end portion of an upper on the work support with an intramarginal portion thereof spanning the opening, a plunger movable in said opening for engaging and stretching the portion of the upper spanning the opening, power operated mechanism carrying said Work support and arranged'to move it toward the holddown member to clamp the upper on said support, an arm secured to said mechanism and movable therewith for supporting said plunger, and means for permitting the work support to yield relatively to said power operated mechanism after said support has beenmoved into clamping relation with the holddoWn member, thereby permitting said arm. and plunger to be moved by said mechanism relatively to said Work support into engagement with the portion of the upper spanning the opening to stretch said portion.

25. A machine for operating on the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support provided with an opening, a holddown arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said support with an intramarginal ortion of said back part bridging the opening, a plunger arranged to move in said opening for engaging and stretching-the portion of the upper spanning the opening, hydraulic mechanism for moving the work support toward the holddown to cause the latter to clamp the upper on the support, said plunger being secured to said mechanism and arranged for movement therewith, a spring for permitting the work support toyield relatively to the hydraulic mechanism after the latter has moved the support into causing the hydraulic `mechanism to move the plunger relatively to the work support to engage and stretch the portion of the upper spanning the openinginsaid support, and means for lim.- iting the movement ofthe plunger relatively to said work support. s

26. A `machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last but having the curved continuity of its surface broken by an opening, a member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper against said support with a intramarginal portion of said back part bridging said opening in a substantiallyflat condition, and a plunger movable in said opening for stretchingtheat portion of the upper which bridges the opening, said plunger being so constructedand arranged that, when it has stretched lthe uppen it will have completed the curvedcontinuity of the surfaceof the Work support.

27. A machine Vfor operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support corresponding substantially in shape to the heel portion of a last but With. the continuity of its curved surface interrupted by an opening located in a position -corresponding to the back of the heel portion of the last, a member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper againstisaid supportzwith an intramarginal portion of lsaid back part'bridging said opening, a plunger movable in said opening to engage and stretch the portion of the .upper bridging the opening, said plunger being so shaped .that when it is in operative position it will restorethe continuity of the curved surface of the work support interrupted by said opening, and means for controlling the stretchingfmovement of said plunger.

28. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support corresponding# substantially in shape to the heel portion of a last but with the continuity of the back end of its curved surface broken by an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp the upper against said sup-V port With an intramarginal portion of the back part of the upper bridging. said opening, a

plunger operating in said opening for engaging` and stretching the portion of the upper bridging the opening, said plunger being arranged when operated to complete the continuity of the surface of the work support broken by said opening, means for adjusting the position of said plunger relatively to said opening, and means for limiting the operative movement of said plunger in the opening. Y

29. A machine forV operating upon thel back4 parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support shaped substantially like the heel end of a last and provided with an opening, a holddown member for clamping the back part of an upper against sai-d support With'an intramarginal portion thereof bridging said opening, said member when in an operativeY position being comy plemental in shape to the Work support except for said opening at which portion said member comlpletes the last-like shape of the support, means said'means being arranged to operate after movement of the support has ceased.

30. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last, means carried by the support for stretching the back part of an upper mounted thereon, a member for clamping the upper against the work support while it is being stretched, and means for moving the work support against said clamping member, said member being arranged to close yieldingly about the last-shaped work support under pressure from said support.

31. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last, means carried by the support for stretching the back part of an upper mounted thereon, and a holddown member for clamping the back part of an upper against the support before it is stretched, said member being pivoted for floating movement relatively to the work support and being arranged to close automatically about said support under pressuretherefrom.

32. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last, means carried by the support for stretching the back part of an upper mounted thereon, and a holddown for clamping said back part on the support during the stretching operation, said holddown comprising a mold shaped to embrace the Work support, members carrying the mold and arranged for opening and closing movement about a pivot, means for supporting said members for oating movement relatively to the work support, and means for normally maintaining said members in an open position.

33. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support shaped substantially like the heel portion of a last, means carried by the support for stretching the back part of an upper mounted thereon, and a holddown for clamping the upper against the work support while it is being stretched, said holddown comprising a resilient mold having a continuous surface for engaging the upper, carrier members for said mold pivoted for opening and closing movement about a common axis, links for supporting said members for oating movementV relatively to the work support, the construction being such that the mold will be forced to close around the Work support in response to pressure therefrom, means for automatically returning the carrier members and mold to open position when pressure thereon is relieved, and means for limiting the floating movement of said members and mold laterally of the work support during their clamping action, thereby causing the clamping pressure to be applied substantially uniformly at opposite sides of the Work support.

34. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having,.in combination, a work support arranged for swinging movement toward and from an operator, a member for clamping an upper on said support, a plunger carried Within said work support for stretching a portion of the upper moiuited thereon outwardly of the support, means for moving the work support against the clamping member to clamp the upper, and power operated means for moving said plunger toward the upper. l

35. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support pivoted for forward and rearward swinging movement, a holddown member arranged to clamp an upper on said Work support, a plunger operable to stretch an intramarginal portion of the upper on the work support, toggle means for moving the work support into engagement with the holddown member, and power operated means for moving sai-d support forcibly against the holddown member to clamp the upper before the plunger is operated to stretch the upper.

36. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged for swinging movement toward and from an operator, a holddown arranged to clamp an upper on the work support, said holddown being located in a predetermined idle position relatively to the Work support, a plunger for stretching the upper, means for positioning the work support in alinement with the holddown when the support is swung away from the operator, toggle means for moving said support into engagement with the holddown and maintaining it in such position, and mechanism for forcing the work supportV yieldingly against the holddown to clamp the upper on the support and for positively actuating said plunger to stretch said upper.

37. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged for swinging movement toward and from an operator, a holddown arranged to clamp an upper on the Work support, said holddown being located in a predetermined position relatively to the work support, a plunger for stretching the upper, means for positioning the work support in alinement with the holddown when the support is swung away from the operator, manually operated means for moving the work support into engagement with the holddown and maintaining it in such position, and mechanism for moving the work support yieldingly against the holddown to clamp the upper and for thereafter moving the plunger a predetermined distance relatively to the Work support to stretch the upper.

38. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, means arranged to hold an upper with a portion of its back part unsupported, a member arranged to clamp the upper in such position, a plunger for engaging the unsupported portion of the upper and stretching it relatively to the rest of the upper, and means for tensioning the upper on said holding means before it is clamped,

39. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, means arranged to hold an upper with a portion of its back part bridging an opening, a member arranged to clamp the upper in such position, a plunger movable in said opening for engaging and stretching the portion of the upper bridging the opening, and means for putting the upper under tension before it is clamped.

49. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, means arranged to support an upper in the curved shape it will have in a shoe and with a portion of its back part unsupported, a member arranged to clamp the upper in such position, a plunger for engaging and setretching the unsupported portion of said back part, and means for tightening the upper around the supporting means before it is clamped.

41. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to hold an upper with a portion of its back part free of the support, a member arranged to clamp the upper against said support, a plunger for engaging the free portion ofV the upper and stretching itrelatively to the remaining portion of said back part, and means for tensioning the upper about thework support prior to the operation of said plunger.

42. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a Work support provided with 'an opening,k a vplunger carried by said work support and operating in said opening for stretching a` portion'of the upper bridging the opening, means for tensioning the upper around the 'workfsupport before 'it is stretched by said plunger, and means for lworl; support forholding an upper, a holddown member arranged to clamp the upper on said support, means for stretching a predetermined portion of the upper so clamped,'and means for tensioning the upper in two directions about the work support before Vit is clamped, thereby smoothing the upper on the supportv and preventing the formation of wrinkles therein when it is clamped. 'f t 44. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination. a work support arranged to hold an uppenincluding a lining, with its back part in the curved shape it will assume in a -shoe and with an intramarginal portion of said back part bridging an opening, a holddown member arranged to clamp said back part on the support, a plunger for stretching the portion of the upperv bridging the opening, means for gripping the forepart of the upper and tensioning it longitudinally about the support, and means for "gripping the opposite margins of said lining and tensioning it about the support heightwise of the upper. A

45. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers havin-g, in combination, a work support, a member arranged to clamp an upper on the support with its back part curved as it will be in a shoe, a plunger for stretching a portion of said back part, and manually operated means for tensioningV the upper about said support both lengthwise and heightwise of the upper before it is clamped. y

46. A machine for operating upon' the yback parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work. support arranged to hold the back part of an upper, a holddownarranged yto clamp said back part on said support, a plunger carried by the work support for stretchinga portion of said back part, and'means'for tightening the upper lengthwise and heightwise `about the support before said back part is clamped, said means being constructed and arranged to maintain the tension until released by an operator.

47. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to hold the back part of an upper in substantially the same curved shape it would have on a last but with an intramarginal portion of said back part unsupported, a holddown arranged to clamp said back part on said support, a plunger for stretching the unsupported portion of said back part, and means for tensioning the upper lengthwise about the support to eliminate wrinkles beforethefupper is clamped, said means comprising curved members for engaging the inner and-outer sides of the toe portion ofv the upper and gripping said portion, mechanism for actuating said members, and means for moving the vcurved gripping members relatively to the upper in -a plane substantially parallel to the bottom of the heel end of said lastv to'tension the upper lengthwise.

48. A machine'for operating upon the back parts of shoek uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to hold an upperlwith its back part curved substantially as it would be on the last upon which the upper is to be mounted but with an intramarginal portion ofksaid baci: part bridging an opening in the support, a member arranged to clamp said backrpart against said support, a plunger vfor stretching the portion of said back'part bridging the opening, means for tensioning f the upper lengthwise about the support, said means being movable relatively to the upper in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom of the heel end of a last with the upper mounted thereon, and means for tensioning the back part of the upper aboutsaid support heightwise of the upper,said means being movable substantially at 'right angles to the above-named plane.

49. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to vholdan, upper with its back part curved substantially as it would be on the last upon which the upper isv to be mounted but with an vintramarginal portionof said back part bridging an opening in the support, a member arranged to clamp said back part against said support, a plunger for stretching the portion of said back part bridging the opening, means for tensioning the upper length- Wise about the support,` said means `being mov'- able in a straight path heightwise of ,the s upport, and means for tensioning the uppera'bout the support heightwise of the upper, said means being movable forwardly and rearwardly of the support and at right angles to the path of move i ment of the first-named tensioning me'ans.

50. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to swing into and out of operative position about a horizontal axis, a member arranged to clamp the back part,A of an upper yieldingly upon said support, a plungerfor stretching a portion of said back part after the upper has been clamped, means movable with the work support for tensioning the upperle'ng'th- Wise and heightwise about said support'before the upper is clamped, said means being movable relatively to the support 'when tensioning the upper, and mechanism for causing said tensioning means to maintain the tension upon theY upper until the latter is to be removed' from'the work support.`

51. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to swing into and out of operative position about a horizontal axis, a member arranged to clamp the back part of an upper yieldingly upon said support, a plunger for stretching a portion of said back part after the upper has been clamped, means movable with the work support for tensioning the upper lengthwise about the support before the upper is clamped, separate means movable with the support for tensioning the upper heightwise about the support before said upper is clamped, and means for adjusting both of said 'tensioning 'means 'for uppers of different shapes.

52. A machine ioroperating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, 'in combination, a ,-f

work support shaped substantially iike the heel end of a last for supporting the back -part of an upper to be stretched by the machine, and means for tensioning said back Apart about said work support before it is stretched, said4 means comprising a toe gripper, mechanism for actuating said gripper to tension the upperlengthwise, heel grippers for engaging the opposite sidesvo'f the .back part of the upper and tensioning it heightwise, and mechanism for grippers. v

53. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in` combination, a work vsupport shaped substantially like the heel portion of a Vlast for supporting the -back par-t of an upper to kbe stretchel'by the machinerand means for tensioning -said back lpar-t about said support before it is stretched, said means comprising a toe -grip'per shaped to engage the toe portion ofthe upper, toggle means -for actuating said gripper, mechanism yfor moving 'the gripper in a straight 'path lengthwise of the upper to tension the same, means for automatically maintaining said gripper in operative position until manually released, a pair of grippers' for engaging the opposite 'marginal portionsA of the upper adjacent to the lback part, mechanism for -mov- Ying said 'grippers at right vangles -to the movement of the t'oe gripper, thereby Atensioning said 'back part 4lfifeigl'itwise about the work support, and means for automatically maintaining -said pair of grippers in operative'position untilmanuwork support arranged t'ohfol'd an upper with 'its back 'part in Nsubstantially 'the 'shape it will assumeon a last, a member 'for clamping said'back actuating 'said Iheel part againstsaid'support, and 'inean's'fo'r creasing the vback 'part of Jthe upper while so '-held along the lin'e 'where a flange is to be 'formed and for corrugating said back part Abelow Vthe crease. o

56. A machine for operating "upon 'the back parts of shoe uppers having, "in combination, a work support arranged to hold the back part o'f an upper comprising an outer layer, lining and counter,'in'substantiallyfthe curved's'hape it will 'assumeon the heel portion of a last, a member for clamping said back part against the Work support, and a corrugated `member` on the support for producing radially extending corrugations in thelower marginal portions of `the .materials of said back part 'while the -back part --is held in sai'd curved shape.

57. A machine for operati-ng uponthe back parts of shoe uppers having., i-n combination, -a work support arranged to hold an upper with its back part in substantiallyfthe shape it will yassume on vthe-heel V.portion 'of a last, a Amember for clamping the back .part in said shape against said support, and means constructed Aand arranged tol produce a crease on Athe lower marginal portion of said back .part along the line on which lthe lasting flange is to -be bent land for also forming-cor-rugations on the -upper below said crease, said'imeans being caused `to operate upon the upper bythe .pressure of said clamping member.

58. A machine for operating upon the back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arrangedto-hold an -upper with all but -the lower marginal por-tion of its back part in substantially the position -it will assume in a shoe, a 'member for engaging the back -part of the upper and clamping .it in such position against the worksupport, a 4p'late on said =work support arranged tovproduceacrease in the back part -of the upper along the .line where Vay lheel flange is subsequently to be turned, and `radially extending ribs on said support arranged to pleat the yupper below said crease, :said .plate and ribs being caused -to crease and .pleat the upper by the pressure of the clamping -member while the upper is iheld on'the support :in Vthe lposition `it will assume in a shoe. 1

59. Al machine for operating upon the -back par-ts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support arranged to 'ho'ld an 'upper with all but the lower marginal por-tion of its back .part in substantially the position it will assume in a shoe,"said support "including a ribbedme'rn- 'ber underlyin'g'said lower 'marginal portion, and

a 'mem-ber for engaging said back part and 'clamping'it against the w'o'rk support, said member being arranged 'to press the lower marginal portion of the back 'part 'against vsaid 'ribbed member to 'form'corrug'ations inthe lower marginal portion.

60. `A machine v"for operating upon tlie 'back parts of shoe uppers having, in combination, a work support fo'r 'holding an'lip'per'with its'back part in substantially the 'curved position it will assume on 'a last, and 'means 'cariied'by the support for producing a 'crease in, the loiv'e'r 'marginal portion of said vback partalong 4the lline where the"back.p-art i's'sbsefduritly'to be flanged and `for also forming "radially itending pleat's -below said crease, lsaid means being caused 'to act upon the upper byfc'iirectipres'surealone while "said :back Apart 'is 'held Vin said curved position.

'AXEL A. LAWSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,266,7714.. December 25, 19141.

AXEL A. LAWSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5, first column, line 75, for "in" before "sufficient" read -is--; page 9, first column, line 56, claim l, strike out "outwardly of the support" and second column, line 11.8, claim 8, for "potrion" read portion; page lO, first column, line l5, claim ll, for "pedal" read --heel; page ll, first column, line li- 65, claim 25, for ort-,1011" read -'portion; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thisv correction therein that the same may conform to the` record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this l'th day of February, A. D. l9l|.2.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

